Finding My Zen… With Goats

Zen: feeling relaxed and peaceful.

A couple of weeks ago, I had such a fun experience with my two daughters, who are in their mid-20s. We went to a yoga class — a goat yoga class.

For Christmas I bought three passes and put them in Mackenzie and Talees’ stockings. We laughed about it, and couldn’t imagine what role the goats played. We watched videos, where goats climbed on people’s backs when they were in different positions, like Downward-Facing Dog or Child’s Pose.

I wasn’t too sure I’d like goats nudging and climbing on me, but thought it’d be a  memorable time with my girls. I hadn’t taken a yoga class in several years. I figured that wouldn’t matter, as we’d be so distracted by the goats, laughing the whole time.

We got to the farm and parked in a dirt lot. There was a huge pen, for both us and the goats. Straw covered the ground and everyone brought their own yoga mat or beach towel.

There were about ten goats, seven of them were babies. SO cute! If you can believe it, they were actually supposed to wear pajamas (yes, the goats… not the people). But it was too warm that day for pj’s.

It was quiet, with a soft breeze blowing the eucalyptus trees surrounding us. The goats seemed super calm, just walking around or lying down. Their little sounds — a-a-a-a-a-ah — were adorable.

The instructor (I’ll call her Julie) set her mat at the front of the pen. I happened to be right next to her, and hoped people wouldn’t look to me for direction. I knew my yoga would be pretty rusty.

Julie warned us that the goats may sniff, chew, or take items that were on the ground. She said the goats could care less if a bag is from Target (she pronounced it Tar-jay) or Cartier, both would taste the same.

She said to go at our own pace, no one will judge, just like the goats don’t judge. They’re simply glad we’re there.

And if a goat poops on your mat, oh well… just brush it off and move on. No big deal.

Class started. At first I was leery, wondering if the goats would chew my mat or grab my shoes or cell phone. But they were kind and gentle. I guess I expected them to be more, well, annoying (in a cute, playful way).

I settled in while taking some deep breaths. My eyes were closed and I relaxed, appreciating the warmth of the sun and the warm breeze. It had been a really cold and rainy winter for Southern CA.

I couldn’t remember the last time I was that still. I concentrated on my breathing and reveled in the fact that I was at a farm, out in nature, with sweet animals walking around.

It was so peaceful, so Zen.

It reminded me how important it is to do nothing and just be. The fresh air felt amazing, rejuvenating. It’s funny how goats helped me realize that.

And the workout? It wasn’t too strenuous, but we definitely did more yoga than I thought we would. It felt great to breathe, stretch, and balance.

The goats weren’t a distraction. They enhanced the experience. I guess that’s why goat yoga is a thing.

At the end, while we laid down in the Shavasana pose, Julie said to breathe and let our worries go. She told us to remember the gentle goats that don’t judge. And when we’re back out in the real world and our busy lives, if someone “gets our goat,” just brush it off, let it go, and move on.

After class, we were able to hold the baby goats and take pictures. Mackenzie, Talee, and I loved petting their soft fur and laughed trying to hold the wiggly ones. The babies seemed tired, maybe from the warm sun and all the attention. Talee held one of them, while Mackenzie and I stroked it’s sweet head. He (or she) fell asleep in Talee’s arms.

So peaceful, happy, and relaxed. Both the goats and me.

First image courtesy of here

 

 

The Art of Doing Nothing

I just watched a trailer for the new movie, Christopher Robin. Near the end of the video, in that sweet, charming voice, Winnie the Pooh says, “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”

He says it so matter-of-factly, like what’s the big deal? Doing nothing comes naturally to him. Lucky bear.

I love how Pooh gets words and phrases mixed up and how it doesn’t occur to him that everyone else has a different meaning. He’s less complicated. I admire his simplicity.

Ignorance is bliss. If you do not know about something, you do not worry about it.

On the surface, it sounds nice to live that way. But I know I can’t. I strive to learn more about myself and the world around me, and I don’t want to be ignorant about life. There are too many people to meet, places to travel, foods to try, and beaches to explore.

I don’t want to waste time doing nothing.

But wait a minute…

Relaxing, daydreaming, doing nothing at all — is great for stress and anxiety. It’s important for my mental health. And I know I don’t do enough “nothing.”

Maybe this Pooh quote resonated with me because lately my husband and I have been over-the-top busy. Some days it feels like we can’t break free of the whirlwind. Our business is taking much of our time. We’re also renovating part of our backyard. And of course, there are the every day responsibilities that can’t be ignored.

School’s out, and it’s summertime. I love working in my office with the window wide open, feel the warm breeze, and listen to the neighborhood kids laugh as they jump on their trampolines and splash in their pools.

It’s the season to slow down, be a bit lazier, and have a more flexible schedule. Bask in the sun. Read a book outside. Spend hours mesmerized, watching the waves at the beach.

Except I’m too busy to do those things. Maybe later.

No. NOW.

Sometimes it’s hard to carve out time for self care. But it’s a necessity, not merely a luxury.

Despite the hectic days, I must find time to take deep breaths and meditate for even ten minutes. Do some yoga poses. Sit on a lounge chair under an umbrella and read. Admire the bright summer sky and wispy clouds, and daydream. Plant those tomatoes I’ve been meaning to get in the ground since April. Make a yummy salad and eat outside as the sun goes down. Take an evening walk and stop to look up, and stare in awe at the big dipper.

Notice what’s around me. Slow down. Be calm. Be mindful in the present moments.

I promise myself to live more like Winnie the Pooh, at least for a little bit every day.

And do absolutely nothing.

“The art of doing nothing is really something.”

Third image courtesy of here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning Something New

Meditation has always intimidated me. I used to think it was mainly for monks or people deeply devoted to yoga. I thought there was one correct way to do it, and that it involved hours of silence and sitting still. I wouldn’t be good at either.

I’d heard that meditation could help lower high blood pressure and relieve stress and anxiety, all of which I have. But I wondered if there was some trick, maybe a secret meditation code, that I would never be privy to. So for years, I never attempted it.

Until now.

I’ve been working on mindfulness and practicing deep breathing techniques. The next logical step for me is meditation. I did some research and learned that it isn’t as mysterious as I once believed. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort in order to reap the benefits.

It can be as simple as sitting in a chair in a quiet room for five minutes, counting your inhales and exhales. Or going for a walk, deep breathing, and concentrating on the movement of your body.

My daughters said to check out the app, Headspace. The trial period is free, so I decided to give it a shot. One evening I went into our family room and settled  in for my first ten minute session. I turned off the lights and sat on the floor in a comfortable position. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the man’s voice on the app (which sounds kind and soothing), instructing me to breathe deep and slow.

It was going well for the first few minutes. That is, until our dog walked into the room. He  licked my face and nudged my arm with his nose so I’d pet him. He plopped right next to me and rolled over, wanting his tummy scratched. Thirty seconds later, my husband barged in and wondered what time I wanted to watch TV. I guess I should’ve warned both of them I was unavailable for ten minutes.

The next couple of sessions went better. But my problem was trying to keep my head clear. It felt like a hundred thoughts constantly invaded my quiet time. What should I make for dinner? I forgot to call Mom. I need to transfer money to that other account. What movie do I want to see this weekend? My mind goes a million miles a minute. It’s hard to turn it off on demand.

This is where the man on the Headspace app helped me. He said if your mind wanders, it’s okay. Let it wander. Don’t fight the random thoughts.

There was one explanation I really liked. He said to pretend you’re on a street corner watching cars go by. Each of those cars is a thought. You can’t possibly stop them from coming. Just be still and watch them drive past. The cars (thoughts) come. And they go. Let them. Then get back to counting your breaths.

Like any new task, meditation takes practice. Some days I have more concentration than others. But that’s okay. Every day I look forward to that calm, zen feeling that washes over me.

Meditation empowers me. I’m in control of my thoughts, my breathing, my anxiety.

Even when my dog comes into the room.

First image courtesy of here

Second image courtesy of here